Burnett Week Part I: Carol Says Hello

Last, week, I lamented that I could not do one of my heroes, Bob Mackie, justice due to the subject of the challenge. So this week, I wanted to take one of the fabulous shows that he used to costume, the Carol Burnett show, and bust out a little three-day collection.








Every week, Carol used to come out on the stage and turn the lights to the audience so they could ask questions. It was one of my favorite parts of the show because she was so funny playing with them and also she would come out wearing a great Bob Mackie gown that would normally be not fitting for an actress performing comedy to wear, but she always pull it off.

It was partially because the outfit was glam, but not too glam, which is a testament to the designer. It put her on a higher level than a regular woman, but kept her still approachable, like she wouldn't mind if someone walked up to her and asked if they could touch her dress to feel the texture of the shiny fabric.




For the top of this dress, I bravely opened up my "special vintage" fabric box to use some very old lame' fabric that I got at a garage sale. (I'm sure it's more valuable than what I paid for it) Other than the stripes that are inset to the material, it is very see-through, so I had to adjust the position of the largest stripe very strategically as I drafted a bodice that gathered and pleated into the diamond-shaped center.









The skirt is very simple with a slight pull-up in the front. There is so much going on on top, I did not want to make the bottom too active. Looking back, I could have actually complicated the skirt a little more, so I will be sure to do that next time.

Run, Carol! Run!